Mohammedan outguns East Bengal 3-1 in Sahara Premier League

Kolkata, Jul 20 (UNI) The combination of Mike Okoro and Theodore Sunday worked magic as Mohammedan Sporting prevailed over East Bengal 3-1 in the first derby match of the Sahara Premier League soccer at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan here today.

Dominating the proceedings right from the word go, Mohammedan surged ahead in the very first minute when Nigerian Theodore Sunday headed home off a corner by Farooque (1-0).

East Bengal missed a golden chance to equalise when in the 33rd minute Asim Biswas' header hit the crosspiece.

However, in the 74th minute, East Bengal restored parity when Khelemba Singh slotted in from a melee (1-1).

Mohammedan again went ahead in the 85th minute when Theodore dodged past three defenders and goalkeeper Abhra Mandal to bang home (2-1).

In the 90th minute Mike Okoro buttressed the lead by converting a penalty, which was awarded to Mohammedan as striker Bimal Paria was tripped inside the danger jone by an East Bengal defender (3-1).

With this victory, Mohammedan bagged nine points from three matches, at par with defending champions Mohun Bagan, while East Bengal stood at four points from as many matches.

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